When a man starts to lose his hair the best treatment he can use is a DHT blocker to counteract the effects of male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness (MPB), also known as male pattern hair loss (MPHL) is a genetic condition that can be passed on to children from either the mother’s side of the family or the father’s. The results are the same: premature hair loss and balding of certain areas of the head. DHT blockers are one of the most effective ways to deal with this conditionl

When a man suffers from the agony of MPB he is experiencing increased levels of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is an androgenic hormone derived from the male hormone testosterone. Increased levels of DHT in the body will result in free DHT bonding with the hair follicles in certain areas of the scalp. Most noticeably the front of the scalp, the top and the crown area. The key to treating hair loss in these areas is to block the DHT in the blood stream and thus stop if from bonding with the follicles. When the DHT bonds with the hair follicles it seems to inhibit the normal growth cycle of the hair. Each cycle that is interrupted shrinks the follicle more until it finally whithers up and the hair falls out. If this androgenic hormone can be blocked the effects of MPB can be eliminated. There are four main ways to deal with this problem

DHT Blocking Four Ways

The first way to keep the DHT from attaching to the hair follicles. At this time there is not goo mechanism for this to happen. The second way is to reduce the production of the hormone. This is accomplished by limiting the enzyme that converts the sex hormone testosterone into the metabolite dihydrotestosterone. There is a particular enzyme that is responsible for the product of this hair loss hormone. If you can limit the enzyme you can limit the amount of DHT.

The third leg then of limiting DHT is to limit the amount of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme is responsible for converting the testosterone into DHT. Most dht blockers will work on limiting this enzyme which means the body does not produce very much free DHT and thus there is not a lot in the blood stream. The FDA approved drug Finasteride treats male hair loss in exactly this way. It limits the manufacture of the hormone responsible for the hair loss condition.

There are two main products that contain Finasteride. The first is Propecia. Propecia is effective against 5-alpha reductase 2. There are actually two isoenzimes of 5-alpha reductase. Propecia controls number 2 but it does nothing for the number one isoenzime. This means not all the areas affective by the increased levels of DHT are treated. Propecia tends to only work on the top of the head and the middle front of the head. It does not seem to be very effective, if at all, in stopping hair loss near the hair line or above the temples.

Best DHT Blocker

Dutasteride is another trade name for Finasteride. This drug has an effect on both 5-alpha reductase 1 and 5-alpha reductase 2. Because it limits both is appears to be more effective.

The fourth leg of the DHT stool is to limit the substances that contribute to the manufacture of DHT. This includes cholesterol which has been linked. Some natural DHT blockers will limit it by attacking the build up of the compounds that are used to make the hormone.

Natural DHT Blocker

There are several natural methods for blocking the DHT. The build up of this substance has also been tied to male urinary problems so remedies that have a positive effect on such things as enlarged male prostate usually work very well as natural DHT blockers. DHT blocker shampoo often times has some of these ingredients in it.

The first is Saw Palmetto extract. This is a short palm that is found in the Southeaster US. It has been used for generations to treat male urinary problems. The second natural extact is from the Nettle Root. Again this is affective with male prostate problems and also seems to help with hair loss. Pygeum, which is derived from the bark of the Prunis Africana tree, is another natural remedy that shows relief from male urinary problems. Studies in Europe are currently being conducted to determine its effectiveness as a hair loss treatment. Pumpkin seed oil and emu oil are both natural occurring oils that many people believe help with male pattern baldness.

DHT Side Effects

There are three main side effects noted by men who use DHT blockers. The first is a decreased sex drive. Since most men are worried about how hair loss affects their relationships this would not be a good tradeoff. Men also report a difficulty in achieving orgasm and decreased sperm production. These side effects may or may not be worth it to you.

DHT For Women

Because of the possibilities for birth defects women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant are not given prescriptions for DHT blockers. In particular, Propecia can affect the development of the sex organs in baby boys in the womb. Women are not even allowed to handle the tablets especially if the safety coating is removed.

DHT blockers are an important part of any treatment that contains hair loss products. They seem to be effective with at least a slow down in hair loss and sometimes will also re-grow some of the hair lost.

]]> http://hairplugsguide.com/dht-blocker/feed/ 2 http://hairplugsguide.com/hair-loss-product-facts/ http://hairplugsguide.com/hair-loss-product-facts/#comments Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:12:12 +0000 Albert http://hairplugsguide.com/?p=64 Hair loss treatment is probably one of the most abused markets there are. It seems like everyone has a remedy or procedure that they claim will give you the hair of a teenager again. Although there are some good hair loss products out there, the vast majority are really a waste of both time and money. I am not going to try to sell you anything I just want to set the record straight about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to treating hair thinning and balding problems.

First lets look at what causes hair loss. The vast majority of hair loss in men is caused by male pattern baldness. This is a condition that is controlled by genetic code. That means if your Dad and uncles were bald the chances are much greater that you will be bald also. The manifestation of this condition is caused by a build up of DHT in the blood stream which eventually shuts off the flow of blood to the hair follicles and they stop producing hair material. The key to treating hair loss is to keep or get the blood supply healthy to the follicles. The best hair loss products are going to do that.

Hair Loss Products For Men

The most effective product for hair loss which is designed specifically for men is the FDA approved drug Finasteride. This drug works to limit the amount of DHT in the blood stream so it can’t clog up the supply to the follicles. This is a hair loss product for men because it is a prescription medication that women are not allowed to take. There is a chance of birth defects with this medication so women are not even allowed to touch the tablets. This drug is taken orally and when used consistently has been shown to have a great effect on hair loss.

Finasteride can be found in a few different products one of which is Propecia.  But the question is does propecia work and the answer is yes and no.  If you are experiencing the beginning or middle stages of hair loss it can be very effective at slowing the amount of hair you lose and it will even help to get some of the dormant hair follicles growing again.  But if you have gone bald in one of the pattern areas it will not promote hair growth.  You need to look at a hair implantation procedure for that.

Hair Loss Products For Women

The most effective drug for the treatment of hair loss in women is another FDA approved drug called Minoxidil. This drug is a vasodilator which means it causes an enlargement of the tiny blood vessels in the body. Originally it was developed to treat high blood pressure but during trials it was found to also help treat hair loss. This makes sense as it should allow more blood to flow to the hair roots if the vessels can carry more flow. This drug is usually applied in a 2% solution for women and a 5% solution for men. The most well known trade product with this compound is Rogaine.

Hair Loss Product Reviews

Both of these drugs are effective for the treatment of stopping hair loss and they will help some hair to re-grow as long as the follicle has not become completely shut down. Another natural hair loss remedy that works like Finasteride is the extract of the Saw Palmetto palm. The active ingredient in this extract apparently has the same effects as the FDA approved drug. Saw Palmetto has been used for years to treat male urinary problems, the original condition Finasteride was developed to treat, and it appears to lower the amount of DHT. Although not as powerful as the drug, this extract does seem to have some positive effect.

Another product that is showing promise is not a drug at all. Instead it is a medical device that has only been on the market for a few years. Called the laser comb it uses laser hair restoration theory to excite the hair follicles to action again. It appears that the red spectrum of this low level laser light actually can increase the blood flow to the follicles and thus stop further hair loss. It is currently in scientific trials but ample anecdotal evidence indicates it is worth looking into.

If you are looking for the best hair loss product then I would definitely go in the direction I have indicated above. Like I said there are a lot of hucksters out there who will try to sell you anything they can. Do the research and check out several options before starting any therapies. Also check with your doctor for advice. Finding a good hair loss product is time consuming but worth it if you don’t want to be bald.

Which Shampoos for Hair Loss Really Work?

When you are searching among the vast selection of hair restoration products, you want to make sure you find a product that will actually work. There are only two FDA approved drugs that have been proven to help with hair loss, those two drugs are minoxidil and finasteride. Be sure that whatever you product you choose contains one of those drugs. Finasteride is an oral medication so if you are looking for a topical shampoo it needs to contain Minoxidil or some trade product with Minoxidil like Rogaine. No other topical substance has been proven by the FDA to treat hair loss but there have been some good results reported with the extract of the Saw Palmetto Palm. This apparently works in the same way Finasteride does.

It is important to note that minoxidil shows good results in the short-term but may not provide the long-term results you are looking for. As long as you continue to use the solution it seems to help keep the hair growing but nothing has been tested longer than a few years. Finasteride on the other hand, actually inhibits the hormone that shrinks your hair follicles.

Consult with your Doctor

It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about your hair loss concerns. In addition to being able to recommend the best hair loss shampoo, he or she can also help you evaluate your other hair loss treatment options. Laser hair treatments have shown to have great results, and some people find that transplants or surgical options are a good fit for them as well. Your doctor can evaluate your condition and help you determine what kind of hair loss you have, thereby assisting you in finding the best solution to your particular hair loss problem.

When you buy a hair loss shampoo, make sure that the ingredients are FDA approved, otherwise you may be throwing away your money. For the best possible recommendation on a treatment or shampoo for hair loss, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best treatment options for your particular situation. With the information in this article you should have a better idea of which hair loss shampoo is likely to provide the most benefit and which ones to avoid.

]]> http://hairplugsguide.com/the-truth-about-hair-loss-shampoo/feed/ 1 http://hairplugsguide.com/hair-growth-products-questions-and-answers/ http://hairplugsguide.com/hair-growth-products-questions-and-answers/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:54:52 +0000 Albert http://hairplugsguide.com/?p=55 If you’re like the millions of Americans concerned about hair loss and wanting to learn more, then this article is for you. We’ll discuss the top 5 questions relating to hair loss and hair growth products. By the end of this article you should have a good idea of hair regrowth products that may work for you as well as some answers to other hair loss questions.

Q: My friend tells me there is nothing that can really be done for hair loss except implants. Is that true?

A: Fortunately it’s not true. There are many things that you can do to encourage the growth of hair. There are many hair restoration products on the market, including several products that contain the FDA approved finasteride and minoxidil.

Q: What are the best hair growth products?

A: A wonderful hair growth product to consider is laser hair treatment. There are several devices designed for use at home that utilize this FDA-approved technology. Laser hair treatment has shown up to a 93% success rate in some studies.

Q: My doctor recommended Propecia. How does it work?

A: Propecia, also known as finasteride, lowers your DHT levels by as much as 60% if you take it every day. DHT is the hormone that is responsible for shrinking your hair follicles which can lead to baldness. In studies, 86% of the men who took Propecia found that it stopped the progression of their hair loss.

Q: I need to find fast hair growth products, where should I look?

A: If you’re using FDA approved hair growth products expect to need several months of treatment before seeing great results. If you need a faster alternative, there are a variety of products available on the internet. Be sure to ask about clinical studies supporting their success rates before making a purchase.

Q: Do hair growth vitamins work?

A: Vitamins marketed as hair growth products work to a degree. They probably won’t help you regenerate hair that has been lost, nor will they help you grow thicker hair. They also won’t prevent hair loss. What they will probably do though is help your existing hair grow more quickly.

Conclusion

If you’re suffering from hair loss, don’t give up hope. There are a number of great products on the market that have been clinically proven to help in preventing hair loss and restore hair. Hopefully the questions and answers above have helped you get an idea of areas to further explore in your quest for great hair growth products.

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